Stuart officials preparing for inevitability of medical marijuana

STUART — Passage of medical marijuana is inevitable and city officials say now, not November, is the time to prepare.

Florida’s proposed Constitutional amendment — which would allow people with certain illnesses to apply for medical marijuana cards — is untested, involves illegal drug use and violates federal law, so it’s important to plan in advance, city manager Paul Nicoletti said Thursday.

“We’re concerned about loopholes in the Constitutional amendment,” he said. “We want to make sure there’s enough regulation in place.”

One strategy under consideration would incorporate medical marijuana into Stuart’s existing laws for pain management clinics. The Local Planning Agency plans to discuss, and possibly vote on that idea Thursday.

Stuart’s ordinance would require marijuana dispensaries to be at least 300 feet from any other pain management clinic, and at least 250 feet away from U.S. 1.

Marijuana vendors could not operate from 6 p.m. to 7 a.m.

“The city staff wants to ensure that these pharmacy facilities have the proper zoning regulation in-place,” said Nicoletti in a memo. “There is a heightened public awareness, combined with the need to regulate due to the possible illegal use of marijuana.”

Stuart’s ordinance lays out some specific requirements but does not answer all of the questions left by the statewide proposal, which, among other things, fails to address how much pot cardholders can buy and how old they have to be.

If Amendment 2 passes by the needed 60 percent majority, the Florida Department of Health would construct a more complete set of rules. The Department of Health would regulate the growing and selling of medical marijuana. It would not issue licenses until at least October of next year.

On the ballot:

• Use of marijuana for certain medical conditions

Allows the medical use of marijuana for individuals with debilitating diseases as determined by a licensed Florida physician. Allows caregivers to assist patients’ medical use of marijuana. The Department of Health shall register and regulate centers that produce and distribute marijuana for medical purposes and shall issue identification cards to patients and caregivers. Applies only to Florida law. Does not authorize violations of federal law or any nonmedical use, possession or production of marijuana.

Source: Florida Department of State Division of Elections

About Lisa Broadt

Lisa Broadt is the regional growth and development enterprise reporter for the #TCPalmFuture team.